View Poll Results: How was your sap sugar content this year?

Voters
109. You may not vote on this poll
  • Sap sugar average, low seed last season

    11 10.09%
  • Sap sugar average, moderate seed last season

    12 11.01%
  • Sap sugar average, high seed last season

    4 3.67%
  • Sap sugar low, low seed last season

    15 13.76%
  • Sap sugar low, moderate seed last season

    45 41.28%
  • Sap sugar low, high seed last season

    9 8.26%
  • Sap sugar high, low seed last season

    2 1.83%
  • Sap sugar high, moderate seed last season

    7 6.42%
  • Sap sugar high, high seed last season

    4 3.67%
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Thread: Poll: 2020 Sap sugar content

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,391

    Default Poll: 2020 Sap sugar content

    Looking to determine how many producers had low sap sugar in the 2020 season.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Stockbridge,Ma
    Posts
    285

    Default

    I voted in "Low sugar, low seed" but I am just guessing about the seed. I do not own most of my taps so I am not in those woods during the fall to see if there are many seeds. I did not notice any while I was running new lines and tapping during January and February. As for the low sugar it was a little lower then in the past but not terrible. Ran from a high of 2.2 to a low of 1.6. A lot more in the range of 1.6 to 1.9 this year compared to others.
    First introduced to making maple syrup in 1969
    Making syrup every year since 1979
    3 x 10 oil fired
    Revolution syrup and max flue pan
    Almost 1300 taps total with 900 on high vacuum
    Bought first Marcland drawoff in 1997, still going strong.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Bristol, VT
    Posts
    1,978

    Default

    I voted low sugar and moderate seed, but I'm not certain how one might judge a high seed year vs. a low seed year... I do believe that red maples in my woods had a higher than average seed year last growing season but that's just an anecdotal suspicion...Not sure about sugar maples.

    The reading I have done on the subject suggests that maples have high seed years every second to third year, but age of the tree and growing conditions are important factors in overall production. I've seen one study here looking at patterns in seed production but haven't seen much else.

    I assume there are more studies and people tracking seed production. Is it safe to assume that this is a regional phenomenon or is it more localized. The study shared above suggests there are regional variations but to what degree? Might maples in the northern half of Vermont for instance have high seed year while trees in the southern half may not?
    About 750 taps on High Vac.
    2.5 x 8 Intens-O-Fire
    Airtech 3 hp LR Pump
    Springtech Elite 500 RO
    14 x 24 Timber Frame SugarHouse
    16 x 22 Sap Shed w/ 1500 gal. + 700 gal. tanks
    www.littlehogbackfarm.com

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Fulton, NY
    Posts
    1,374

    Default

    I remember Lew Staats telling me he noticed high seed crop every election year. Not sure I see that here, but maybe around Lake Placid was?
    Tim Whitens
    Willow Creek Farm
    Fulton, NY

    3000 on vacuum, 3hp 3ph Busch pump, 2567 Gast
    30X8 Leader oil-fired evap. w/ steamaway
    Airablo 1000 RO
    6 Alpacas

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

    Default

    I voted high seed year because of the number of seeds (from large old, hard maples)I've cleaned off our new backyard patio. Since we installed it just last year, i really can't compare to previous years. But wow, they were everywhere and seedings on/in the gravel stone around the patio are sprouting all over the place already this spring.

    I guess i should measure the amount of seeds i sweep up from now on. Haha

    oh yea, i voted low sugar too.
    Last edited by TapTapTap; 04-10-2020 at 06:34 AM.
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,391

    Default

    If you've not voted yet...please do so. The more data the better.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ny
    Posts
    28

    Default content

    Two years of high seeds in a row, equals low sugar! Atleast thats how it looks, two real dry summers seems to have stressed trees!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Athol, NY
    Posts
    219

    Default

    We had low sugar content, but I have no idea what the seed crop was like so I don't really know how I can vote.


    Randy

    Toad Hill Maple Farm

    http://ToadHillMaple.com/

    3650 Taps on Vacuum for 2010 & still expanding
    56'x64' Timberframe Sugarhouse - New for 2011
    3x10 Leader Vortex w/ Max Flue Pan & SteamAway
    1000 gph Leader Springtech RO
    777 Acres in the Adirondack Mountains

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Mitchell, Indiana
    Posts
    41

    Default

    My seed count is always high judging by the amount I clean out of my roof gutters every year.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Verona, NY
    Posts
    411

    Default

    i've noticed more seedlings appearing this spring than ever before, so i'm guessing high amounts of seeds. our sugar was .5% lower on average this season.
    7000 taps on vacuum, just trying to get a little better every year.

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